- According to the founder Abbey Jnr, Kenya has been participating since 2022 and has raised the flag high in winning a substantial number of the categories.
- The Kenyan team last year presented their trophy to Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua
Image: HANDOUT
Kenya is poised to make history as it prepares to host the Forty Under 40 awards for the first time in East Africa.
The event, which celebrates the continent's most promising young entrepreneurs and CEOs under 40 years old, is set to shine a spotlight on Africa’s vibrant business landscape and its rising stars.
Among the nominees are 30 outstanding Kenyans who have been nominated for their exceptional contributions to their fields.
Previously, the award ceremony has been hosted in Ghana and South Africa. The event comprises a tour, summit and Awards.
Xodus Communications Limited Organizers said the event will bring together the finest entrepreneurs and Chief Executive Officers under 40 from the continent.
The event organizers are working in collaboration with Ababu Namwamba-led Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs in Kenya.
Founder and Event Director Richard Abbey Jnr said the Forty under 40 Africa Award is a scheme which seeks to identify, honour and celebrate a cross-section of the continent’s most influential and accomplished young business leaders under the age of forty.
"The category of those to be awarded comes from a wide range of industries we cover, who are committed to business growth, professional excellence and community service and have risen through the ranks of their companies or industries at a relatively young," he said.
Over the last two years, he said, his company has spotlighted over 300 young continental leaders in various sectors.
"Spotlighting these young achievers will celebrate them and build a strong platform for them by giving a voice and opportunities to the next generation of industry pacesetters while building a positive attitude in our youth to strive for excellence at a tender age," he said.
He added that he has seen outstanding individual trailblazers strive hard with dedication and perseverance by overcoming challenges and economic instability.
The Jury is headed by Kris Senanu, the founder and Chairman of Blackrock Capital, Kenya and an accomplished business leader with over 20 years of experience in creating enabling environments and building high-performance teams.
"I’m very confident that we will for the third time produce outstanding results that will help not only to celebrate the winners but also build a strong platform for them by giving a voice and opportunities to the next generation of industry pacesetters while building a positive attitude in our youth to strive for excellence at a tender age," Senanu said.
According to the founder Abbey Jnr, Kenya has been participating since 2022 and has raised the flag high in winning a substantial number of the categories.
The Kenyan team last year presented their trophy to Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua
The March 30 event will be attended by the Sports CS Ababu Namwamba among other leaders.
The founder said the event will among other things encourage Africa’s upcoming youth that excellence and success can be achieved at a very tender age.
"It will help shape the narrative on Africa by highlighting the best stories of positive change from young change-makers in the various fields of endeavour," he said.
Nominees hail from Zimbabwe, Ghana, Mauritius, South Africa, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Egypt, Botswana, Tunisia, Liberia, Chad, Tanzania, Sierra Leone, Uganda, Libya, Niger, Cameroon, Cape Verde and Malawi.
Other countries are South Sudan, Eswatini, Rwanda, Swaziland, Algeria, Congo and Eritrea.
Among the 40 categories to be considered during the awards include banking and finance, health and wellness, human resource and development, education, Insurance, law and manufacturing.